UTEP and Rice Talking to MWC

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoot...ders-expansion

Seems like it would be a bad move for Rice unless it ups the TV contract like Boise did, but the article suggests it doesn't.

They should of stayed put in the WAC in 2005.

Current MWC map
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Locations2.png

UTEP or Rice? If UTEP, they could be in the same situation that NMSU is right now. It would have been between UTEP and SJSU to get in to the MWC. Not sure how much I like those odds.

The only thing worse than losing two teams would be replacing them.

UTEP I could get over, but it'd be a shame to lose Rice (even UTEP has their basketball program).

But if they did leave, I'd want the conference to stick with 12 teams.

Wichita State is looking into adding football again. I would add them and UMass. Both bring solid basketball programs and CUSA could become 2-3 bid league year in and year out.

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Originally Posted by DFW-IronDawg

Wichita State is looking into adding football again. I would add them and UMass. Both bring solid basketball programs and CUSA could become 2-3 bid league year in and year out.

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Neither of those schools would consider C-USA, nor do I think C-USA would be interested in either of them anyway. AAC? Yes.

If they both go, don't add anyone. MT will just have to suck it up and move west with UAB.

Wichita State as a non-fb member would be okay for the AAC. From the article it seems that's what they inquired about, though I don't know that they aren't considering football.

If those two did go before UAB is operational, Conference USA may add Texas State for contractual reasons to be at 12 every season. Not sure of the contracts.

The consensus at CoogsDen seems to me that Rice absolutely should go. Which may mean my view is the outlier and that the ball may be in the MWC's court. It just seems to me like a bad move for Rice, which already has substantial profile issues to a far greater extent than TCU or UH. It seems like a sort of freak-out at being left behind and feeling the need to do something/anything. But I thought the same about TCU and the MWC certainly worked out well for them.

It seems like far from a slam dunk that they would be invited. When Boise and SDSU did what they did, it was cause for adding a rider to the TV contract. I don't think that's the case with Rice and UTEP and so it would be simply splitting the money more ways. The only thing that gives me a bit of pause on that is that there were rumors when they created the division that Boise was assured that they would ultimately end up in the western division. This seems like it could be the mechanism by which that occurs. If there was any truth to that rumor.

Personally, I could easily be for Tech stepping up conferences again to be attached to the MWC universities by going in with RICE. The MWC will get the much better deal come the next set of mergers.....i.e. to become the P6.

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Originally Posted by parialex

The consensus at CoogsDen seems to me that Rice absolutely should go. Which may mean my view is the outlier and that the ball may be in the MWC's court. It just seems to me like a bad move for Rice, which already has substantial profile issues to a far greater extent than TCU or UH. It seems like a sort of freak-out at being left behind and feeling the need to do something/anything. But I thought the same about TCU and the MWC certainly worked out well for them.

It seems like far from a slam dunk that they would be invited. When Boise and SDSU did what they did, it was cause for adding a rider to the TV contract. I don't think that's the case with Rice and UTEP and so it would be simply splitting the money more ways. The only thing that gives me a bit of pause on that is that there were rumors when they created the division that Boise was assured that they would ultimately end up in the western division. This seems like it could be the mechanism by which that occurs. If there was any truth to that rumor.

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Parialex,

I suspect what this is about is the MWC looking for a school to pair with BYU when the Cougars enter the MWC after being passed over by the Big 12. I think that will eventually happen. The Big 12 would become somewhat of a laughingstock if its conference stretched from Utah to West Virginia. Their expansion will be east and won't include BYU.

I still believe what you heard from David Boren earlier this year about Big 12 expansion was a reaction to what I believe is inevitable - Big 10 expansion to 16, something Jim Delaney promised NewsCorp (Fox) back in 2009 that the Big 10 would eventually get to. Boren wants the Big 12 to have its pick of schools before the Big 10 expands first and starts the merry-go-round going again. Proactive rather than reactive.

As I said, I think BYU will end up in the MWC. They may have to make a concession or two to the MWC, but I think they will. They won't want to be locked out of the G5 Access bid if they have no other options. I think they'll be paired with UTEP. Rice will eventually end up in the AAC, and I think they know that.

We need to find a way to line up with Rice and move to the MWC. The west is our future.

East of Ruston has nothing for us....move west asap.

A quick scan of the message boards of UTEP, Rice, and MWC reveals that fans of UTEP are very supportive, Rice fans are broadly supportive, and MWC folks are more supportive of UTEP than Rice but mostly don't want to expand at all unless said expansion includes BYU and/or UH.

We will eventually have to move. I would like for us and USM to stick together, if possible. The West does seem move viable, though. It is all about perception and, let's face it, CUSA has 4 name teams - Tech, Rice, USM, and UTEP. I could throw in Marshall for good measure, actually.

MWC or AAC would be a good next move, since we are not getting into a P conference anytime soon. If you aren't moving forward, you are going backward and, as teams move out of CUSA, we would definitely be moving backwards if we stay. I like the time zone and travel of the AAC and CUSA better than MWC, though. The F-U's did nothing for our name recognition.

Need to double the endowment and quadruple the athletic budget in next 5 years.

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Originally Posted by champion110

We will eventually have to move. I would like for us and USM to stick together, if possible. The West does seem move viable, though. It is all about perception and, let's face it, CUSA has 4 name teams - Tech, Rice, USM, and UTEP. I could throw in Marshall for good measure, actually.

MWC or AAC would be a good next move, since we are not getting into a P conference anytime soon. If you aren't moving forward, you are going backward and, as teams move out of CUSA, we would definitely be moving backwards if we stay. I like the time zone and travel of the AAC and CUSA better than MWC, though. The F-U's did nothing for our name recognition.

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Originally Posted by JuBru

Need to double the endowment and quadruple the athletic budget in next 5 years.

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Yeppers!

The Houston Chronicle reports that UTEP and Rice are in talks to leave CUSA and go to the MWC. I just can't see why Rice would do this. Their travel costs would surely jump a bunch.

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Originally Posted by Docman5

The Houston Chronicle reports that UTEP and Rice are in talks to leave CUSA and go to the MWC. I just can't see why Rice would do this. Their travel costs would surely jump a bunch.

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Rice has lots of money.

UTEP makes sense. Rice is puzzling definitely. Maybe they don't want to be in the same conference with Texas schools they think they are above (UNT, UTSA) and feel they can recruit better against Houston in MWC.

I don't blame them.
USM would have left this conference years & years ago had ANYBODY else wanted us.
There was talk at one time of a possible MTW/CUSA merger. Never materialized. We are stuck here with no other options.

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Originally Posted by talonofdeath

I don't blame them.
USM would have left this conference years & years ago had ANYBODY else wanted us.
There was talk at one time of a possible MTW/CUSA merger. Never materialized. We are stuck here with no other options.

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Some on BB&B still don't believe that rumor. But it was very true and was closer to happening then folks realize.

From a Southern Miss message board:
We should plan to pull together a true southern based conference.
USM
La Tech
ULL
South Alabama
UAB
Troy
MTSU
Ga Southern
WKU
All play all in football. Round robin in hoops. Everyone plays all major sports. Leave TX and FL behind.
Make a deal with ESPN to pioneer an over-the-top app broadcast deal which will eventually be what every conference must do when the cable bundle bubble bursts. And it will burst because cable as it is offered now is doomed. Offer it for syndication like the American network does. We have to get outside the box here.

That my friends is depressing,and it comes from a looong time supporter of the program. If UTEP & Rice leave, I say ADD NO MORE TEAMS. Don't water-down the conference anymore than it already has been. May as well drop the F-U schools in Florida while were at it. Keep Marshall,LaTech,WKU & USM as the core of the football teams (although I still feel like WKU is a 2 year flash in the pan....with only 16k present for a Conference Championship game) We need to do something since the tv rights are to be renegotiated in 2016, and it's my understanding we will not be much better off $$ wise than the sunbelt.

USM and LaTech need to find a way into the MWC or AAC.

Your proposal is down right depressing.

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

USM and LaTech need to find a way into the MWC or AAC.

Your proposal is down right depressing.

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I thought he just copied it, but maybe it was his post.

MWC is back to the days of the WAC with no Texas presence. No way they want us. Not sure they really want UTEP.

We have many things working against us for AAC membership, with budget being near the top.

It's been said many times, but for now we don't have to outrun the bear, just the others who are being chased by the bear. We are okay until C-USA starts falling apart.

The CUSA goal needs to be 12.

I get the feeling that Rice would be just as miserable in the MWC as they are CUSA. Those folks just hate it everywhere they are.

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Originally Posted by parialex

The consensus at CoogsDen seems to me that Rice absolutely should go. .

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We can certainly count on Houston fans to want what would be best for Rice, right?

(I'm with you that they ought to stay in CUSA, but I have considerable bias here).

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Originally Posted by parialex

A quick scan of the message boards of UTEP, Rice, and MWC reveals that fans of UTEP are very supportive, Rice fans are broadly supportive, and MWC folks are more supportive of UTEP than Rice but mostly don't want to expand at all unless said expansion includes BYU and/or UH.

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I'd expect UTEP fans to be for it (and CUSA fans to be generally ok with UTEP going, except the hardcore basketball folks - or cross-country fans maybe).

I like UTEP basketball being in our league, but don't want Rice to go (and don't want to be in a 13 team league). If UTEP alone went (to balance BYU for example) I'm sure we'd replace them, and that would be a shame. There isn't really a way to do it, but if we lost UTEP, the next best step for CUSA would be for one of the weaker CUSA East teams to leave and then stick with 12 teams (would never, ever happen).

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

I get the feeling that Rice would be just as miserable in the MWC as they are CUSA. Those folks just hate it everywhere they are.

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Exactly.

My 2 cents is Houston and 1 other will move to the Big 12 before a change in the MWC....not sure what that means but will precipitate movement.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

USM and LaTech need to find a way into the MWC or AAC.

Your proposal is down right depressing.

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NOT my proposal, just the outlook from quite a few USM supporters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by talonofdeath

From a Southern Miss message board:
We should plan to pull together a true southern based conference.
USM
La Tech
ULL
South Alabama
UAB
Troy
MTSU
Ga Southern
WKU
All play all in football. Round robin in hoops. Everyone plays all major sports. Leave TX and FL behind.
Make a deal with ESPN to pioneer an over-the-top app broadcast deal which will eventually be what every conference must do when the cable bundle bubble bursts. And it will burst because cable as it is offered now is doomed. Offer it for syndication like the American network does. We have to get outside the box here.

That my friends is depressing,and it comes from a looong time supporter of the program. If UTEP & Rice leave, I say ADD NO MORE TEAMS. Don't water-down the conference anymore than it already has been. May as well drop the F-U schools in Florida while were at it. Keep Marshall,LaTech,WKU & USM as the core of the football teams (although I still feel like WKU is a 2 year flash in the pan....with only 16k present for a Conference Championship game) We need to do something since the tv rights are to be renegotiated in 2016, and it's my understanding we will not be much better off $$ wise than the sunbelt.

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Your friends have lost their minds.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by talonofdeath

From a Southern Miss message board:
We should plan to pull together a true southern based conference.
USM
La Tech
ULL
South Alabama
UAB
Troy
MTSU
Ga Southern
WKU
All play all in football. Round robin in hoops. Everyone plays all major sports. Leave TX and FL behind.
Make a deal with ESPN to pioneer an over-the-top app broadcast deal which will eventually be what every conference must do when the cable bundle bubble bursts. And it will burst because cable as it is offered now is doomed. Offer it for syndication like the American network does. We have to get outside the box here.

That my friends is depressing,and it comes from a looong time supporter of the program. If UTEP & Rice leave, I say ADD NO MORE TEAMS. Don't water-down the conference anymore than it already has been. May as well drop the F-U schools in Florida while were at it. Keep Marshall,LaTech,WKU & USM as the core of the football teams (although I still feel like WKU is a 2 year flash in the pan....with only 16k present for a Conference Championship game) We need to do something since the tv rights are to be renegotiated in 2016, and it's my understanding we will not be much better off $$ wise than the sunbelt.

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Originally Posted by DogDawg

Exactly.

My 2 cents is Houston and 1 other will move to the Big 12 before a change in the MWC....not sure what that means but will precipitate movement.

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The folks at UH are doing everything they can - money wise and winning to be positioned for when the B12 expands! I personally think it will happen and some of their BIG Donors - ie - John Moores, Tillman Fiertita, etc. will pony up millions! I also think that Cincy will go with them as a travel partner for WVU.

If that happens, I would like to see the AAC folks look to shore up their league with 16 solid G5 schools and maybe look like this;

East - UConn, UMass, ECU, Marshall, Temple, Navy, Army, Memphis
West - SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane, UCF, USF, So Miss, La Tech

Solid football and should be a three invite team to NCAA's in bball! I know Memphis and Tulane would not love it, but survival may be a bigger motivator???? More than likely they would just add UMass & Rice for TV markets and to keep their Champ Game, but 16 team leagues maybe the next Big Thing, if the B10 does it????

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Originally Posted by DawgFaninHous

The folks at UH are doing everything they can - money wise and winning to be positioned for when the B12 expands! I personally think it will happen and some of their BIG Donors - ie - John Moores, Tillman Fiertita, etc. will pony up millions! I also think that Cincy will go with them as a travel partner for WVU.

If that happens, I would like to see the AAC folks look to shore up their league with 16 solid G5 schools and maybe look like this;

East - UConn, UMass, ECU, Marshall, Temple, Navy, Army, Memphis
West - SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane, UCF, USF, So Miss, La Tech

Solid football and should be a three invite team to NCAA's in bball! I know Memphis and Tulane would not love it, but survival may be a bigger motivator???? More than likely they would just add UMass & Rice for TV markets and to keep their Champ Game, but 16 team leagues maybe the next Big Thing, if the B10 does it????

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Love it!

About the best theoretical conference I've seen. Would be a step forward for us were it to happen.

Imagine Memphis would prefer to be in the west opposite Uconn so maybe UCF swaps places with them.

You wouldn't want the Florida teams and the Texas teams in the same division.

Also, Northern Illinois would likely be in there somewhere.

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Originally Posted by DawgFaninHous

The folks at UH are doing everything they can - money wise and winning to be positioned for when the B12 expands! I personally think it will happen and some of their BIG Donors - ie - John Moores, Tillman Fiertita, etc. will pony up millions! I also think that Cincy will go with them as a travel partner for WVU.

If that happens, I would like to see the AAC folks look to shore up their league with 16 solid G5 schools and maybe look like this;

East - UConn, UMass, ECU, Marshall, Temple, Navy, Army, Memphis
West - SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane, UCF, USF, So Miss, La Tech

Solid football and should be a three invite team to NCAA's in bball! I know Memphis and Tulane would not love it, but survival may be a bigger motivator???? More than likely they would just add UMass & Rice for TV markets and to keep their Champ Game, but 16 team leagues maybe the next Big Thing, if the B10 does it????

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That would be an awesome conference!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by champion110

We will eventually have to move. I would like for us and USM to stick together, if possible. The West does seem move viable, though. It is all about perception and, let's face it, CUSA has 4 name teams - Tech, Rice, USM, and UTEP. I could throw in Marshall for good measure, actually.

MWC or AAC would be a good next move, since we are not getting into a P conference anytime soon. If you aren't moving forward, you are going backward and, as teams move out of CUSA, we would definitely be moving backwards if we stay. I like the time zone and travel of the AAC and CUSA better than MWC, though. The F-U's did nothing for our name recognition.

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With all due respect to Southern Miss, there's no need for us to "stick together." It's nice that we are in the same conference, but Southern Miss and Mississippi really don't offer much to Tech. It think it's far more important that we stick with Rice for many reasons (academics, alumni, recruiting, enrollment, etc.).

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

With all due respect to Southern Miss, there's no need for us to "stick together." It's nice that we are in the same conference, but Southern Miss and Mississippi really don't offer much to Tech. It think it's far more important that we stick with Rice for many reasons (academics, alumni, recruiting, enrollment, etc.).

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I agree that it is not a necessity. It is just one of those old rivalries that I like. I do understand the importance of Rice, as well. I would like to stick with teams that have name recognition. In our current conference, that would be Southern Miss, Rice, UTEP, and Marshall. The AAC certainly has more of them and the MWC does, as well. Personally, I don't care anything about being associated with N. Texas, UTSA, the F-U's, MTSU, and WKU (although, surprisingly, WKU is the least objectionable to me). ODU is even okay....... There are certain names (and we have a name like this) that people know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DawgFaninHous

The folks at UH are doing everything they can - money wise and winning to be positioned for when the B12 expands! I personally think it will happen and some of their BIG Donors - ie - John Moores, Tillman Fiertita, etc. will pony up millions! I also think that Cincy will go with them as a travel partner for WVU.

If that happens, I would like to see the AAC folks look to shore up their league with 16 solid G5 schools and maybe look like this;

East - UConn, UMass, ECU, Marshall, Temple, Navy, Army, Memphis
West - SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane, UCF, USF, So Miss, La Tech

Solid football and should be a three invite team to NCAA's in bball! I know Memphis and Tulane would not love it, but survival may be a bigger motivator???? More than likely they would just add UMass & Rice for TV markets and to keep their Champ Game, but 16 team leagues maybe the next Big Thing, if the B10 does it????

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Originally Posted by DawgFaninHous

The folks at UH are doing everything they can - money wise and winning to be positioned for when the B12 expands! I personally think it will happen and some of their BIG Donors - ie - John Moores, Tillman Fiertita, etc. will pony up millions! I also think that Cincy will go with them as a travel partner for WVU.

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According to Memphis people, the duo will be Memphis and Cincinnati, not Houston. And this has been widely broadcast as a done deal. With your statement, the question will be who has the most money to throw around - Memphis or Houston?

I would prefer that Tech and USM stick together for as long as they can. There is a lot of history and even more future ahead of these two programs.

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Originally Posted by champion110

That would be an awesome conference!

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Then the MWC add BYU, Witchita, UTEP & UTSA to get to 16 and we let the MAC, Sunbelt & the leftovers from CUSA fend for themselves!

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

According to Memphis people, the duo will be Memphis and Cincinnati, not Houston. And this has been widely broadcast as a done deal. With your statement, the question will be who has the most money to throw around - Memphis or Houston?

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Lolwut? Apparently Memphis got their hands on some of whatever Lafayette's been smoking.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

According to Memphis people, the duo will be Memphis and Cincinnati, not Houston. And this has been widely broadcast as a done deal. With your statement, the question will be who has the most money to throw around - Memphis or Houston?

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There is something every week in the Chronicle about UH trying to get included. It's going to be a donnybrook if Memphis beats them in!

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Originally Posted by champion110

I agree that it is not a necessity. It is just one of those old rivalries that I like. I do understand the importance of Rice, as well. I would like to stick with teams that have name recognition. In our current conference, that would be Southern Miss, Rice, UTEP, and Marshall. The AAC certainly has more of them and the MWC does, as well. Personally, I don't care anything about being associated with N. Texas, UTSA, the F-U's, MTSU, and WKU (although, surprisingly, WKU is the least objectionable to me). ODU is even okay....... There are certain names (and we have a name like this) that people know.

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I have a very different view of North Texas. After Rice, I'd say North Texas is the second most important school we should stick together with (if Tulane, SMU, and Houston are not options). I'd put Southern Miss right behind those schools. I think those DFW and Houston markets are so important to us, and it's imperative that our conference has a strong Texas presence.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

I have a very different view of North Texas. After Rice, I'd say North Texas is the second most important school we should stick together with (if Tulane and SMU are not options). I'd put Southern Miss right behind those schools. I think those DFW and Houston markets are so important to us, and it's imperative that our conference has a strong Texas presence.

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I would argue that SMU would be a better partner in DFW for us than NTx!!!

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Originally Posted by DawgFaninHous

I would argue that SMU would be a better partner in DFW for us than NTx!!!

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That's why I said if SMU isn't an option. If SMU is an option, then obviously we would prefer SMU to North Texas.

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Originally Posted by Built4Speed

Lolwut? Apparently Memphis got their hands on some of whatever Lafayette's been smoking.

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Memphis has pretty much unlimited resources with FedEx and Autozone Chairmen/CEO's being in their ring of influence as well as Chairman Emeritus of Sak's. Corporate money flies around LABG's reputation.

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Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde

Memphis has pretty much unlimited resources with FedEx and Autozone Chairmen/CEO's being in their ring of influence as well as Chairman Emeritus of Sak's. Corporate money flies around LABG's reputation.

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Yep. My guess is that Cincy and Memphis are next in line. That's why UH is going all out spending all that money to try to jump one of them. UH doesn't add a new market to the current Big 12, and UH has Texas politics working against them.

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Originally Posted by DawgFaninHous

The folks at UH are doing everything they can - money wise and winning to be positioned for when the B12 expands! I personally think it will happen and some of their BIG Donors - ie - John Moores, Tillman Fiertita, etc. will pony up millions! I also think that Cincy will go with them as a travel partner for WVU.

If that happens, I would like to see the AAC folks look to shore up their league with 16 solid G5 schools and maybe look like this;

East - UConn, UMass, ECU, Marshall, Temple, Navy, Army, Memphis
West - SMU, Tulsa, Rice, Tulane, UCF, USF, So Miss, La Tech

Solid football and should be a three invite team to NCAA's in bball! I know Memphis and Tulane would not love it, but survival may be a bigger motivator???? More than likely they would just add UMass & Rice for TV markets and to keep their Champ Game, but 16 team leagues maybe the next Big Thing, if the B10 does it????

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Was listening to a roundtable of college football writers in D/FW who cover the Big12 and A&M on the radio about a week ago. The overwhelming consensus was Houston offers the Big12 NOTHING they don't already have. They all said they would be shocked to see Houston invited. They listed all these positive things that are going on with UH's football program and said at the end of the day it doesn't matter. They agreed with you and said the Big12 REALLY wants a travel partner for West Virginia (Cincy) and even though it has been brought up before they said BYU will be a front runner. They even said UCF would be invited over UH.

Now that being said, this was responding to a UH fan who called in asking about expanding to 12. IF the Big12 was going to 14 or 16 I think UH would be invited.

But they have a HUGE TV contract now. They just mandated tougher Non Con schedules so they won't be left out of the playoffs. I don't see why you split the pie further unless the school you are splitting it with increases the TV contract by at the amount you are giving up by inviting them.

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Originally Posted by Bigdog13

Was listening to a roundtable of college football writers in D/FW who cover the Big12 and A&M on the radio about a week ago. The overwhelming consensus was Houston offers the Big12 NOTHING they don't already have. They all said they would be shocked to see Houston invited. They listed all these positive things that are going on with UH's football program and said at the end of the day it doesn't matter. They agreed with you and said the Big12 REALLY wants a travel partner for West Virginia (Cincy) and even though it has been brought up before they said BYU will be a front runner. They even said UCF would be invited over UH.

Now that being said, this was responding to a UH fan who called in asking about expanding to 12. IF the Big12 was going to 14 or 16 I think UH would be invited.

But they have a HUGE TV contract now. They just mandated tougher Non Con schedules so they won't be left out of the playoffs. I don't see why you split the pie further unless the school you are splitting it with increases the TV contract by at the amount you are giving up by inviting them.

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As I posted earlier in this thread, you do it now in order to have options. Proactive rather than reactive.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

Yep. My guess is that Cincy and Memphis are next in line. That's why UH is going all out spending all that money to try to jump one of them. UH doesn't add a new market to the current Big 12, and UH has Texas politics working against them.

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This is the most accurate post in this thread. Houston is spending like a drunken sailor because they know where they are in the pecking order.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

I have a very different view of North Texas. After Rice, I'd say North Texas is the second most important school we should stick together with (if Tulane, SMU, and Houston are not options). I'd put Southern Miss right behind those schools. I think those DFW and Houston markets are so important to us, and it's imperative that our conference has a strong Texas presence.

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I don't see the value of N. Texas. They are in the metro area, but haven't developed the name and no market share. In Texas, UNT is still thought of as a Sun Beltish team. I didn't include SMU, Houston, Tulane, etc... as I was just mentioning current CUSA members in my post. There are many AAC and MWC programs with name recognition that i would love to be associated with......

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Originally Posted by champion110

I don't see the value of N. Texas. They are in the metro area, but haven't developed the name and no market share. In Texas, UNT is still thought of as a Sun Beltish team. I didn't include SMU, Houston, Tulane, etc... as I was just mentioning current CUSA members in my post. There are many AAC and MWC programs with name recognition that i would love to be associated with......

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I think that is the key for us going forward - associating ourselves with AAC & MWC schools when we can!!! Given the right circumstances, I see Tech as more a peer to SMU, Co STate, New Mexico, Air Force, Wyoming, San Diego, the fellow former WAC'ers and of course, Rice, USM and Marshall - from C-USA. The schools we are with now such as FIU, FAU, Charlotte, ODU, W Ky, Mid Tn, UTSA, etc. don't have the name recognition or 'star power' - in my humble opinion.

Just saw this AM that that the MWC is not going to expand, at least now.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

I have a very different view of North Texas. After Rice, I'd say North Texas is the second most important school we should stick together with (if Tulane, SMU, and Houston are not options). I'd put Southern Miss right behind those schools. I think those DFW and Houston markets are so important to us, and it's imperative that our conference has a strong Texas presence.

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Rice, UNT, and USM are the schools I like being associated with. North Texas is a sleeping giant in many ways and they help us out a lot in the Dallas market.

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Originally Posted by KSDAWG

Rice, UNT, and USM are the schools I like being associated with. North Texas is a sleeping giant in many ways and they help us out a lot in the Dallas market.

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Originally Posted by champion110

I don't see the value of N. Texas. They are in the metro area, but haven't developed the name and no market share. In Texas, UNT is still thought of as a Sun Beltish team. I didn't include SMU, Houston, Tulane, etc... as I was just mentioning current CUSA members in my post. There are many AAC and MWC programs with name recognition that i would love to be associated with......

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See what KSDawg said. It's very important that Tech has a presence in DFW, and North Texas provides that platform for us since SMU isn't an option right now. We have a relatively large alumni base in DFW for which playing North Texas provides opportunities for alumni engagement, and it's an easy trip down the interstate for other alumni. DFW is a hotbed for recruiting athletes, and competing against UNT helps us recruit those athletes. It also helps us recruit future students because DFW is central to Tech's strategy to boost our enrollment. I think all of that is far more important to Tech's future than Southern Miss' damaged reputation.

North Texas has everything they need to be successful. UNT has plenty of money, large enrollment, great demographics, strong recruiting base, excellent facilities, phenomenal band, good conference fit, and decent academics. Lack of success due to bad hires is the only thing I see that's holding them back. I think UNT has a strong president but probably needs a new AD. It shouldn't take long for the Mean Green to get things rolling again.

I'm assuming we are discussing the spot after UL-L gets in?

North Texas has also added a law school, it's in downtown Dallas, but it will eventually reap them some benefits. They are also investing in a branch campus in Frisco. It will start with a few classes and keep expanding, eventually to offer graduate classes.

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Originally Posted by The Historian

As I posted earlier in this thread, you do it now in order to have options. Proactive rather than reactive.

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Yes but you can do it with teams that increase the size of the pie. Why invite Houston who just takes away from what you already have yet gives you nothing you lack?

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

See what KSDawg said. It's very important that Tech has a presence in DFW, and North Texas provides that platform for us since SMU isn't an option right now. We have a relatively large alumni base in DFW for which playing North Texas provides opportunities for alumni engagement, and it's an easy trip down the interstate for other alumni. DFW is a hotbed for recruiting athletes, and competing against UNT helps us recruit those athletes. It also helps us recruit future students because DFW is central to Tech's strategy to boost our enrollment. I think all of that is far more important to Tech's future than Southern Miss' damaged reputation.

North Texas has everything they need to be successful. UNT has plenty of money, large enrollment, great demographics, strong recruiting base, excellent facilities, phenomenal band, good conference fit, and decent academics. Lack of success due to bad hires is the only thing I see that's holding them back. I think UNT has a strong president but probably needs a new AD. It shouldn't take long for the Mean Green to get things rolling again.

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My family and friends (non-Tech friends who otherwise would NEVER see us live) love coming with me to Tech games vs. UNT. Basketball and Football. (They need a baseball program, so does SMU) Would I rather it be SMU/TCU?? Of course. But until that's an option I want to be associated with a school that's roughly 20 min's North of me. This is one of the rare times I can point out my favorite players to my UT, TCU, Baylor and A&M friends and brag on our programs.

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Originally Posted by Bigdog13

Yes but you can do it with teams that increase the size of the pie. Why invite Houston who just takes away from what you already have yet gives you nothing you lack?

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Just to clarify. I believe that many of the Big 12 Presidents want to move now before the Big 10 inevitably expands. But I don't think Big 12 expansion - if it's just 2 - includes Houston. Eventually, the Longhorn Network will become the Big 12 Network. They will need new markets.

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Originally Posted by The Historian

Just to clarify. I believe that many of the Big 12 Presidents want to move now before the Big 10 inevitably expands. But I don't think Big 12 expansion - if it's just 2 - includes Houston. Eventually, the Longhorn Network will become the Big 12 Network. They will need new markets.

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The UT Horns will screw this up all over again. They just aren't bright. I guess too much $$ makes them dumb as a knothole.

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Originally Posted by TYLERTECHSAS

The UT Horns will screw this up all over again. They just aren't bright. I guess too much $$ makes them dumb as a knothole.

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They're smart, but I believe too much pride.

UT doesn't want another in state team, so yeah, UH can kiss that goodbye.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/69b6c81ae...2Kt1rdko97.jpg

Just Add Cincy as a travel partner for WVU & LA Tech! (Do I sound like a UL-L fan? :laugh:)

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Originally Posted by LeggoDawgs

UT doesn't want another in state team, so yeah, UH can kiss that goodbye.

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That is if UT and OU stay in the B12.

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Originally Posted by TYLERTECHSAS

That is if UT and OU stay in the B12.

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They've signed away Grant of Rights in contracts that will be almost impossible to break. The problem for both of them is something McMurphy pointed out several months ago when Cowherd suggested on his show that Oklahoma might leave for the SEC.

Most of the Big 12 schools have floated revenue bonds to pay for facility upgrades based on those Grant of Rights. All of them will sue, and there wouldn't be a settlement. If UT and OU were to leave and lose those suits they would lose everything. Every cent of TV money. That will keep the Big 12 and the ACC for that matter together for at least the next decade.

I saw a list of athletic programs and their revenues. UT was #1. OU was #5. I don't really know why they'd want to go anywhere.